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Rheumatoid Arthritis

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human35325
human35325

hello my mother is 47 years old she has Rheumatoid Arthritis disease, she is bearing this disease since when she was only 25 years old since then this disease is increasing every day and now it's reached in hand elbow and fingers, after treatment of 20 years one doctor suggest a Dose (injection) to stop the process of Osteoarthritis (osteoprocess),

Doctor said this dose will stop the osteoprocess for 1 year and you have to take this dose every year to stop the process of Osteoarthritis (Osteoprocess), My Question is that , Is it safe to take this Dose Or Not ? Thank you

1 like, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • lodgerUK_NE
    lodgerUK_NE human35325

    Posted

    Sorry you need to post this on the forum for RA.  Look to the right at the top of this page and use the box. 

    Also visit the National Osteoporisis Society and read up on that site.

  • EileenH
    EileenH human35325

    Posted

    You are totally confused about osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is what the doctors are concerned about for your mother - it is a reduction in the density of the bones because of the medication she has been on for the rheumatoid athritis. 

    It has been suggested you search for the national osteoporosis society if you are in the UK - they have a phone line and will answer questions about the various drugs if you are in the UK. 

    In the UK these injections to build bone density aren't used as often as tablets -  the injections do have fewer stomach side effects than the tablets. But without knowing what it is her doctors want to use no-one on here can tell you much - there are a few different drugs available in injectable form.

  • Juno-Irl-Dub
    Juno-Irl-Dub human35325

    Posted

    HI,  ( It seems very odd indeed to say " Hi Human" !! )  It seems that your mum has been suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) for a long time and now her doctor is considering putting her on meds. for Osteoporosis (OP) - and has mentioned a yearly injection for this.  I assume she had a test (scan) to confirm that she has OP -and it's severity- and this is why he wants to treat her now (?? ). Has she recently had a fracture and this is why treatment is being considered?

    OP can be the caused in a percentage of people who takie steroids over a long period of time and perhaps these meds. were part of your Mum's treatment for her RA.  The medication that her doc. disussed is probably Zoledronic Acid (Aclasta). It is given by a 15 min. infusion in the doctor's office yearly. This has certain advantages over taking a pill daily, weekly or monthly. All meds. have side- effects and there are some nasty side-effects associated with this class of meds (called bisphosphonates) - though hopefully very rare. They are widely used.

    I think you should encourage her to discuss again this whole issue with her doc. and even go along with her to the next appointment  - two heads are always better than one in these cases !       Kind Regards, J

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